To begin with, let's listen to a song called There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays.
There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays
Perry Como
Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays
'Cause no matter how far away you roam
When you pine for the sunshine of a friendly gaze
For the holidays you can't beat home sweet home
I met a man who lives in Tennessee
And he was heading for
Pennsylvania and some homemade pumpkin pie
Now in Pennsylvania folks are traveling
Down to Dixie's sunny shore
From Atlantic to Pacific
Gee, the traffic is terrific
Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays
'Cause no matter how far away you roam
If you want to be happy in a million ways
For the holidays you can't beat home sweet home
Perry Como has a very fine, silky voice. Just the sort of voice one needs for a sentimental song full of familiar phrases such as "there's no place like home" and "home sweet home". It sounds as if he is singing about Thanksgiving, as he sings of "homemade pumpkin pie", a traditional dish for the Thanksgiving holiday. Thanksgiving for Americans is much like Spring Festival for us, a time when families try to get back together. In America people often travel many miles to get back to their hometown, whether it's from north to south, "Pennsylvania...down to Dixie" (Dixie is a traditional name for the American South) or from east to west, "the Atlantic to Pacific."
Listen to the recording two or three times and then think over the following questions:
1. Why does the singer think Onetta should be treated right?
2. Why does Onetta think it worthwhile to work hard day after day?
3. Would you rather have a low paid job that is interesting or a well paid job that is boring?
4. What is the message of the song?
adj. 令人厌烦的